OTC - irritable bowel syndrome

Question 1

Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms

Answer 1

Alternating bowel habit
Bloating
Lower abdominal spasms

Question 2

Irritable bowel syndrome causes

Answer 2

Stress
Depression
Anxiety
Lack of dietary fibre

Question 3

Irritable bowel syndrome referral;

Answer 3

• Children
• > 45 years and first time symptoms (may imply bowel cancer)

-Blood in stools

-Bowel obstruction (severe abdominal bloating, colic, vomiting, constipation)

-Unexplained weight loss

-fever, nausea, vomiting (may imply IBD)

Question 4

Irritable bowel syndrome treatment

Answer 4

ANTISPASMODICS
- Mebeverine 18+
- Alverine 12+
- Peppermint oil 15+

Must swallow peppermint capsules whole to prevent irritation to mouth snd oesophagus. Can also cause heartburn

ANTIMUSCARINICS (as they have anticholinergic effects which can help relax smooth muscle)
- Hyoscine 12+
- Dicyloverine

Bulk-forming laxatives for constipation in IBS

Loperamide (18+ years) for diarrhoea in IBS